Congress Hall Tours

Immediately following the American Revolutionary War, Philadelphia was declared the original capital city of the United States, and Congress Hall served as the first U.S. Capitol Building. It hosted the United States Congress until May 1800, when political focus shifted to Washington, D.C.

When used as the home of Congress, the House of Representatives met on the first floor, and the Senate met upstairs. The second floor is the more elaborate of the two, with a hand-loomed carpet bearing seals of the original colonies, and oil portraits of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette bequeathed by the French government to a newly liberated America.

The presidential inaugurations of Washington and Adam were held here, as were ceremonies establishing the First Bank of the United States and the ratification of Jay’s Treaty with England. The latter, named for then Chief Justice John Jay, ended the American Revolution and created ten years of peaceful trade between the Crown and the Colonies.

Beautifully restored to its original Colonial condition, Congress Hall is free to visit on a first-come, first-served basis. Only small groups are allowed in at any one time, so be prepared for a short wait.

Discover the birthplace of America on this 90-minute guided walking tour through the country’s most historic area in Philadelphia. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the Independence National Historical Park and more than 20 other historic sites on this 1.25-mile trek, including the National Constitution Center, where the tour begins (and ends), plus Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center, Betsy Ross House and Declaration House, and many more. This seasonal tour operates rain or shine, but only during the warmer months of April to November.

Philadelphia is the birthplace of American democracy — and rich in American history. Discover the historical sites in Philadelphia on this expert-guided, 75-minute walking tour. See where George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin lived and worked. Stop at some of the city’s most iconic landmark locations, like Independence Hall. Visit the Betsy Ross House, where the seamstress is said to have sewn the first American Flag; plus Congress Hall, the original Supreme Court building, the Library Company of Philadelphia, Franklin Court at the Independence National Historical Park and more.

Drink your way through Philadelphia history on a 4.5-hour walking tour and pub crawl through the heart of Old City, City Hall, and Center City Philly. See some of Philly’s key landmarks, from Ben Franklin’s house to the U.S. Mint, ride the Philadelphia subway, then hit some local bars for happy hour. This 4.5-hour history and beer tour includes four beers, a snack, and entrance fees at sites along the way, and it’s limited to 12 people for a personalized experience.